Somalia: Scourges, Villains and Heroes of the Year

January 3, 2008

As a new year approaches and another one (2007) fast disappears, there must be a moments of sober reflections of what has transpired major events or changes of the end-year, either for good or bad, and driving forces behind. In terms of the sheer politico, social and historical twists of last year, such argument has perhaps more prominence today than ever in the context of Somalia’s (the South) nihilistic and protracted conflict.

In this impromptu note, I would like to remind once more and share with the conscionable dear folks three different categories for they have ostensibly played catalytic role for better or worse in those events. They can be either described as Scourges, Villains or Heroes depending on the side of the fence and whether their actions are deemed to be diabolic or noble one according to the popular perception of many Somalis cross the board. These abstracts simply indicate of what sorts of morals, socio-political values and cause each entity stand for. The said metaphors also equally apply in both groups and individual bases regardless of creed and origin of the nationality.

Scourges

It is fairly represented by warlord infested and mercenary enterprise entity of the TFG or Tigrian Federated Goons, and led by non other than Mr. Yusuf — il capo die tutti malvolenti capi or the boss of the all-malevolent bosses. Far from being genuine political forces or aspiring politicians as few shortsighted supporters would lead us believe, they are basically assorted thugs, Trojans, imposters and petty criminals who accounts to no one besides their bellies and paymasters. There could be rare exceptions among them, though, able to exert little influence on the urgent political and military matters on the ground, if any. Nothing short of Scourge status will be more appropriate as a political class and aspiration. No one of his right mind would have unlikely entrusted these people with responsibility of as little as housekeeping duty in ideal world, let alone the fate of whole nation in deep crisis.

Apparently, the bloc has collectively vested of whatever little brain and basic instinct they could claim in a wrong, irredeemable and alien cause. Time and again, no sign of slightest decency and shame, not to mention remorse, have shown on the part of thugry alliance as they keep perpetuating hedonistic, treasonous actions against unarmed civilian day in day out over the years. As soon as one tries to liken them with a flawed human traits of cowardice, hell-bent, untermenschen (subhuman) and so on to describe the inherent villainous behavior he/she may run out of more descriptive adjectives. Worse, the notorious club’s future credibility, be it political capital, patriotic or loyalty one, is beyond redemption. It is sad thing that few cheerleading Somalis fanatics blinded by either clannish sentiments, other personal gains or both are still hopelessly cling to the fading status quo of the Scourge politics and its main actors.

Villains

A yet another nefarious pack which is very similar to the former (Scourges) when it comes in the sheer brutality and policy scope but with few contrasts with respect to the immediate moral obligation and other short- and medium-term political fall outs. It draws its membership mainly from external actors led by the malevolent Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Melez, plus other regional/international bodies. At any measure, they are collection of disparate villain as far as the point of policy agreement concerned and rightly so.

Let us face it folks, the fault of occupation and atrocities committed by Ethiopians, with the help of other foreign players in the Somalia, doesn’t lies with its ruler — at least not directly. The leader’s immediate concern, besides the personal ambition, is his nation’s geo-political interest and the welfare of his poverty-stricken masses at all cost. Civilian and children killed or maimed in Mogadishu aren’t Abyssinian proper nor are the out rightly erased and vandalized properties. The Immediate responsibility and consequences of the crimes rest squarely on the shoulders of the nominal Scourge outfit or TFG. However, that doesn’t let off the hook Melez and company all together. The medium- and long-range repercussion and its wider implications vis-à-vis Somalia’s mission are dire.

These myopic policies will probably haunt and destabilize the entire region which has been in state of chronic strife for decades. Even the very existence of Ethiopia as a country and territorial integrity could be at risk due to the naked aggression and disregard for the international law on the part of its govn’t as it may result meltdown of African borders. So why Meles & company pursues an incalculable risky road, one may ask?

Possible scenarios could be either that (1) the Abyssinians age-old expansionism which heavily relies on external interventionist policies — an out-dated and unsustainable scheme in the 21st century - - is at work again. In other words, Abyssinians are known to be on the throats of many other black ethnics in the Horn region and invariably were able to subjugate in the end albeit painstakingly and with external hands, e.g. Oromos, Somalis, Afars, et.al. Or (2) a pursuit of his long-term secessionist scheme to dismember the country in favor of Tigrai region.

Another unexpected actor in the equation is the USA. Why on earth the leader of the free world and sole superpower is drawn into Somalia’s tribal squabbles is a new twist. However, paranoia and simplistic policy of the “T” swap reinforced by false and out-sourced intelligence coupled with the racist evangelist gospels are the main culprits. To be likened with villains seems dishonorable badge that many decent people of all nations dislike and American aren’t exception. And don’t even get me started how the AU and UN become so complicit in the whole affair. To link a state of paralysis or lack of vision seem too lenient to be accounted for the inference.

Heroes

Speaking of heroes or heroic acts in relation with current predicament of the South, some people are less optimistic to talk about it but I bet to differ. These human qualities are still alive and kicking. Sure, it came with higher price and disillusionment as well, which at times seem an avoidable in most conflicts no matter what.

Thus, who are the heroes, you may wonder? They are innocent lives of children, women, elderly killed or maimed by the alien, barbaric forces in their soil and homes. Victims died with dignity in the midst of next kin and god-given culture unlike the perpetrators. Other heroic principle defenders are the ones who stood up against the myth of the mighty African ambessas (or lions) and against many insurmountable adversities. This doesn’t refer necessarily to the alleged minority elements trying to exploit religion as political weapon but rather many others motivated by virtue of patriotism tenets and birth right. Even the blindly discredited UIC movement offers far better alternative than the present mayhem led the Trojan horses. One needs not to see further than the vast contrast of the Mogadishu resident’s life in 2007 and the year before. Who else could you associate with heroic principles in this tragedy?

Few regimes that stayed clear out the mess like SL also deserve praise. Despite under considerable pressure of both domestic and foreign elements to take sides, its leadership wisely opted to stay out of the fray, while Puntland regime, on the other, tirelessly paraded and championed for the bloodshed from day one.

Conclusion

On the whole, 2007 will be remembered be as a year of monumental hardship in the tumultuous recent past of Somali history. It wasn’t kind, memorable period for most conscionable people, regardless of regional and ideology discrepancies. Mogadishu its environ in particular have become an epicenter of terrible occupation, displacement and killing ground for innocent masses. In light of those experiences, various players of the politico, diplomatic and military scenes can be either described as Scourges, Villains or Heroes depending on the explicit role of policy association and objectives. As all current prognoses and history of mankind struggles attest, heroes and the wronged sides will prevail while others will suffer bitter, humiliating defeat on the other hand.

Stay well and happy new-year!
Mohamed A. Awale